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Christmas & New Year Walking at Brecon

Activity types:

Level

Difficulty indicator

Difficulty is measured on many factors such as distance, ascent/descent, terrain, weather and more. There's no magic formula, but from our experience we use yellow for easy, orange for medium and red for hard. Challenger holidays require a high level of fitness and stamina.

Holiday overview

Holiday Highlights

Just relax, soak up the party atmosphere, enjoy wonderful festive fare and leave all the organising to us

Evening activities include dancing, quizzes and carol evenings

Cosy Country House and a special festive cheer

What’s included?

Wonderful meals – full selection at breakfast, your choice of picnic lunch, an excellent evening meal, afternoon tea and cakes every day, and plenty of festive sweets and nuts

A programme of organised walks and activities

The services of experienced HF Holidays’ guides

Any transport to and from the walks

In pictures...

Accommodation

Nythfa House is a charming Country House, located on the edge of the market town of Brecon. Spacious public rooms, attractive gardens and indoor swimming pool make it a popular and relaxing place to stay.

Bedrooms

Nythfa House has 28 bedrooms. Most are located in the main house, with others in garden annexes.

Our classic bedrooms offer comfortable accommodation and an en-suite bathroom with bath or shower. They also have TV, hairdryer, and tea and coffee making facilities. Single rooms are available for an extra £8 per night.

You can enjoy extra space or exceptional views plus additional facilities including a towelling robe and complimentary slippers when you upgrade to a premium bedroom. Premium rooms are available at just £5 extra per person per night.

If you are travelling with your family, we have a selection of 3 and 4-bedded family bedrooms. These have all the facilities of our classic rooms plus full sized twin or double beds for adults and bunk beds or occasional beds for children.

A limited number of value twin rooms are available at a discount of £8 per person per night and value single rooms with a £5 per night discount. Our value rooms have the same facilities as our classic rooms, but bathroom facilities are nearby rather than en-suite.

All our Country Houses are tailored to walkers and outdoor enthusiasts and have excellent boot and drying rooms and laundry facilities.

In the main house there is a large upstairs lounge, an attractive dining room and a spacious bar. The ballroom is suitable for dancing, evening talks and also for some of our indoor leisure activity holidays. This links with the pleasant conservatory which looks out onto the garden. Free WiFi is available in some public rooms. There is also a range of board games and books.

A separate building houses the indoor swimming pool.

The house is surrounded by extensive gardens that contain a putting green and croquet lawn.

All holidays at our Country Houses are Full Board with all meals included, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on the day of your departure.

Start your day with our extensive breakfast. Choose from a wide selection on the cold buffet and/or a full cooked breakfast. Maybe enjoy a lighter option of fruit and yoghurt followed by scrambled egg, go for porridge followed by a full Welsh breakfast, or select something in between.

Choose from our famous self-select picnic lunches - everything you need to keep you going on a day outdoors. Your own choice of sandwiches is prepared to order, and you can add crisps and snacks, fruit, nuts, chocolate bars, sweets and biscuits as you wish.

The relaxed dinner is a highlight of any stay at our Country Houses. With tables seating up to 10 and no seating plan, it offers a great opportunity to get to know your fellow guests. There is always a choice of dishes for every course, featuring good British cooking and often local specialities. A vegetarian option is always available.

All our Country Houses have a well-stocked bar serving local beers, wine and spirits.

Guided Walking: enjoy a glass of wine or local beer in the bar before a talk about the next day's walks. After dinner there will be an activity or entertainment which you will be welcome to join. These vary from week to week but could include a talk on local wildlife from a local speaker or a team quiz. Alternatively if you prefer, feel free to just relax in our lounge or bar.

Leisure Activities: many of our Leisure Activities holidays continue into the evening with programmed sessions. Other holidays will have the evenings free, and you will be welcome to join in other social activities that may be happening in the house.

Family holidays: our activity leaders are on hand to organise children’s activities and games for younger children before dinner. These could include rounders, outdoor games, or crafts. After dinner there are further activities for the whole family.

Self-Guided Walking: there may be evening social activities happening in the house during your holiday, and you will be most welcome to join in. However, not all self-guided holidays will have evening activities available – if these are important to you, please check before booking.

Most public areas are carpeted. The ballroom has wooden floor and the conservatory has quarry tiles

Minimum corridor width is 130cm

The main stairway has 18 steps. Each step is 16cm high, 26cm deep and 90cm wide. There is a hand rail

There is no lift

Good standard lighting throughout the house

Public Areas - Sitting room, lounges, lobbies etc

The lounge (1st floor) measures 7 x 10m with a large landing. There is a large number of arm/tub chairs, stools and coffee tables. All furniture is easily movable

The lounge is fully carpeted and has a mixture of wall and ceiling lights

Coal effect gas fire with guard rail and an electric fan heater on a hearth

The guest internet computer is located in the lounge

Public WCs

There is a single public WC on the ground floor

The door width is 75cm, floor space 200 x 190cm

The toilet seat is 42cm high and the wash basin is 83cm high

Restaurant / Dining Room, Bar & Bar area

The fully carpeted dining room is on the ground floor. It is L-shaped and measures 10 x 8m and 2 x 9m

It has 2 Welsh dressers, 6 round, 4 legged tables, each seating up to 9-10 people. The tables are 73cm high

Seats have no arms, 50cm high, with 86 cm backs

Waitress service both at breakfast and dinner times

White / cream crockery, clear glassware. Standard cutlery

Special diets catered for, but should be advised pre or on arrival

The carpeted bar area is situated adjacent to the dining room. It has various seating for up to 24 guests. There are 8 chairs with arms. Seat height 45cm, the seat back is 84cm. Round tables are 70cm high

Leisure Facilities

Swimming pool / art studio building is situated near the entrance gates (some 150 yards from the main house)

There is a single step on the entrance. The height of the step is 7cm and the width is 140cm

Open plan changing rooms with showers are on the ground floor

The tiled swimming pool with a tiled surround is raised from ground level and is reached by 5 tiled steps. The pool measures 10 x 5 yards, and is sloping with the depth varying from 1.05m to 1.6m

There are no disabled aids

The water temperature is set to 32°C

There are 2 toilets in the pool building. The toilet in the foyer has a door width of 73cm, toilet seat height of 44cm, wash basin height of 80cm and the approx floor measurement of 2 x 1.5m. The toilet between the changing rooms has a door width of 91cm, toilet seat height of 44cm, wash basin height of 79cm and the approx floor measurement of 2.7 x 1.7m

There are 14 steps to the 1st floor studio. The steps are 19cm high, 26cm deep and 86cm wide. Wooden parquet flooring

Bedrooms

All bedrooms have fitted carpets and standard modern furniture. All except one of the bedrooms are with en-suite shower or bath

Bedrooms are either single, twin or double bedded

Kettle in each room with supplies of tea, coffee, sugar etc available

All rooms are carpeted and well lit

All furniture, including beds is movable

Room 17 is directly off the ground floor corridor. There are 2 beds, each 59cm high. The approximate room size is 5 x 4m. The door width is 84cm

Bathroom, Shower-room & WC [en-suite or shared]

All except one of the bedrooms are en-suite with either a shower or a bath. 1 bedroom has WC only

The bathrooms either have a nonslip or lino flooring

All showers are electric, single shower cubicle with hinged door and normal ground-level shower tray

All baths are standard size with standard twist & turn taps

No disabled aids available

Room 17 has a shower room. Electric shower. The shower room door width is 68cm, the shower door is 60cm wide, a hinged single glass door. Shower tray measures 70 x 70cm and is 22cm high. The toilet seat height is 43cm and the wash basin is 82cm high. The flooring is non-slip vinyl

Grounds and Gardens

The grounds around the house are level or slightly sloped, mainly laid to lawns with flower beds

Seating available

Gravel footpaths (some with raised edging)

No lighting during the night

Additional Information

Fire procedure is displayed in each room and explained to guests on arrival. Guests requiring assistance at an evacuation are identified at this time and door hanger cards are issued on request. An under-pillow vibrating pad is available on request

A fridge is available in the first floor lounge for storing medication

Good signage for fire escape routes

One bedroom key issued per room (second key available on request)

Assistance dogs accompanying visually or hearing impaired guests are welcome; dogs must be kept on a lead or harness at all times

Information can be provided in large print

Staff has had disability awareness training

Itinerary

Our House Manager and leaders have put together a unique programme of walks and social activities, and look forward to welcoming you on your holiday.

The Walks programme

The walks are tailored to the time of year and will remain flexible to suit the weather conditions. Each day three grades of walk will be offered:

Easier: up to a maximum of 4 miles (6.5km)

Medium: up to a maximum of 7 miles (11km)

Harder: up to a maximum of 9 miles (14.5km)

Christmas – Festive Guided Walking

Friday 23 December 2016

Enjoy a warm welcome over afternoon tea from 4 pm onwards.

Saturday 24 December 2016 – Christmas Eve

Today the easier and medium walks start from the Craig Cerrig-gleisiad Nature Reserve and hopefully offer panoramic views of the Beacons. We’ll head for the National Park Visitor Centre near the hamlet of Libanus, as will the harder walk whose target is the summit of Pen y Fan.

Sunday 25 December 2016 – Christmas Day

We'll build up an appetite for our Christmas dinner with a selection of walks that all start and finish at Nythfa House. The easier walk follows the towpath of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, crossing the River Usk by a 200-year-old aqueduct. The medium walk will enjoy parts of the Taff Trail beside the River Usk, and the harder tackles the fabulous Menasgin Horseshoe, with Fan y Big as the high point of the day.

When you return to Nythfa House there will be presents under the Christmas tree before our Christmas lunch. Our celebration Christmas dinner is the highlight of the evening - enjoy traditional turkey with all the trimmings, or alternative options if you prefer.

Monday 26 December 2016 – Boxing Day

Today’s walks east of Brecon track through the Black Mountains to finish at the thriving market town of Hay-on-Wye. The easier walk goes along parts of the River Wye valley, Clyro and back into this book lovers’ paradise. The medium walk and harder walks start out over Tregoyd Common, one contouring below an escarpment to pick up the Offa’s Dyke Path below Hay Bluff while the harder walk heads up the Black Mountains escarpment to Twmpa and arrives in Hay-on-Wye via the same path.

Wednesday 28 December 2016

All today’s walks finish in Crickhowell, the easier via Tretower with its renowned medieval court and castle, and the wooded Cwmbeth Brook Valley and the medium via South Wales' very own Table Mountain. The harder walk takes in the superb views of surrounding hills on a circular route from Crickhowell and Llangattock via the Lonely Shepherd, an isolated limestone pinnacle, left by quarryworkers, and the Craig y Cilau escarpment and nature reserve.

Thursday 29 December 2016

Today’s walks are centred on Talybont on Usk. The easier walk starts at a viewpoint on the Usk Valley walk overlooking the Talybont reservoir and then follows the Taff Trail along a disused railway line and beside woodland, to the canal towpath which leads to the village of Talybont. The medium walk starts from Talybont itself, following an old tramway south above the reservoir. We skirt Tor y Foel and pick up the canal towpath back. The harder walk starts at Pont Blaen y Glyn and ascends through woodland before going up a steep path to Craig y Fan Ddu, then heads for Carn Pica and descends to Talybont.

New Year – Festive Guided Walking

Saturday 31 December 2016 – New Year’s Eve

Today the easier and medium walks start from the Craig Cerrig-gleisiad Nature Reserve and hopefully offer panoramic views of the Beacons. We’ll head for the National Park Visitor Centre near the hamlet of Libanus, as will the harder walk whose target is the summit of Pen y Fan.

In the evening join our fellow guests for a fantastic celebration dinner to welcome the new year – you are invited to ‘dress to impress’.

Sunday 1 January 2017

We see in the New Year on some superb local walks. The easier walk loops out to the north and then the northwest of Brecon, visiting Priory Groves – woodland on the site of old quarries which provided stone for Brecon’s castle and cathedral – and up to the strongpoint of Pen y Crug to visit its Iron Age hill fort. The medium walk enjoys parts of the Taff Trail beside the River Usk, and the harder walk tackles the fabulous Menasgin Horseshoe, with Fan y Big as the high point of the day.

Monday 2 January 2017

Today’s walks east of Brecon track through the Black Mountains to finish at the thriving market town of Hay-on-Wye. The easier walk goes along parts of the River Wye valley, Clyro and back into this book lovers’ paradise. The medium walk and harder walks start out over Tregoyd Common, one contouring below an escarpment to pick up the Offa’s Dyke Path below Hay Bluff while the harder walk heads up the Black Mountains escarpment to Twmpa and arrives in Hay-on-Wye via the same path.

Local area

Discover the Brecon Beacons

During your stay at Nythfa House you may enjoy visiting the following places of interest, either in your free time, or on your journey to and from Brecon:

Brecon is a quaint market town at the foot of the Brecon Beacons; an area of sweeping high moorland, and beautiful green valleys. The town has a good range of facilities including shops, supermarkets, post office, chemists, banks, pubs and cafés. During your stay you may enjoy visiting Brecon Cathedral or take a scenic cruise from Brecon along the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal. www.breconcathedral.org.uk or www.dragonfly-cruises.co.uk

Big Pit Mining MuseumTravel underground at the excellent Big Pit museum in Blaenavon and discover the life of a South Wales coal miner. Blaenavon is around 45 minutes' drive from Brecon. www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/bigpit

Hay-on-WyeThe quaint small town of Hay-on-Wye is about 30 minutes' drive from Brecon, and can also be reached by bus every 2 hours. The town is now famed for its annual literary festival, and extensive selection of second-hand book shops.

HerefordHereford is an attractive city, around an hour's drive from Brecon, whose cathedral houses the famous Mappa Mundi, a 12th century map of the world. www.herefordcathedral.org

Dan yr Orgof CavesAn impressive show-cave, one of the largest in Europe, with fine stalactites and stalagmites. The caves are around 30 minutes' drive from Brecon. www.showcaves.co.uk

Tretower CourtLocated near the village of Crickhowell, about 20 minutes' drive from Brecon, Tretower Court is a fine Medieval fortified manor house. www.cadw.wales.gov.uk

CardiffThe vibrant Welsh capital of Cardiff is also around 40 miles or 1 hour’s drive from Brecon. A visit could include the St Fagan’s National History Museum, Castell Coch, or the National Museum. www.visitcardiff.com

Travel

Travel to Brecon

By train:

The most convenient railway station is at Abergavenny. For train times and general rail enquiries visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950 (from outside the UK call +44 20 7278 5240).

By taxi:

The 20 mile journey from Abergavenny railway station takes approximately 45 minutes. Pre-booked taxis cost approx £36 per taxi. Details of our current recommended taxi company and rates will be sent to you with your booking. The return taxi journey can be arranged on your behalf by the Nythfa House Manager.

By bus:

The X43 bus operates from Abergavenny station to Brecon. Alight at the bus interchange in Brecon. Facing the road, head left along Heol Gouesnou to the traffic lights. Turn right heading uphill along Cerrigcochion Road for around 70 yards, and then turn left into Belle Vue Gardens. Head along the road and turn right at the T-junction (still Belle Vue Gardens). Head up the road to another T-junction and turn left into Cerrigcochion Lane. Walk for about 15 yards and you will see the Nythfa House sign on your right. For bus times see www.traveline.info

By car:

Most guests approach Brecon via the A40 from Abergavenny or the A470 from the northwest. These two roads converge at a roundabout on the Brecon bypass. At the roundabout follow the B4601 into Brecon. Pass the army barracks on your right, then turn right at the mini-roundabout (B4601). Continue ahead at the second mini-roundabout. Turn right at the traffic lights (B4602), then take the first left into Bell View Gardens. Take the next road on the right, then at the next T junction turn left. The drive to Nythfa House is ahead on the right.

Reviews

Date & Rating

Customer Review

HF Holidays says

18 Jan 2016, 12:07 p.m.

Service rating:

++

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++

Service review:

However had to chase membership cards.

Product review:

Great atmosphere, great company, lots of food, very well done.

14 Jan 2016, 8:10 p.m.

Service rating:

+

Product rating:

+

Service review:

I have enjoyed many HF holidays.

Product review:

Not there at Christmas. Went on 30th Jan for Festive Walking. Holiday good.

9 Jan 2016, 2:52 p.m.

Service rating:

++

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++

Service review:

We always enjoy the company of other HF guests

Product review:

An excellent way to greet the New Year, very good organisation on the part of staff and leaders.

8 Jan 2016, 11:41 a.m.

Service rating:

+

Product rating:

+

Service review:

Good accommodation with excellent, plentiful food can always be relied on.

Product review:

As always, an ideal way to enjoy the New Year break - good, well-lead walking (no matter the weather) with like-minded people and fun, sociable evenings. We liked the idea of the same quiz at all the houses.

6 Jan 2016, 1:18 p.m.

Service rating:

+

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+

Service review:

Good

Product review:

Good

6 Jan 2016, 8:40 a.m.

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+

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++

Service review:

One thing is for sure, the staff at Nythfa House were faultless, absolutely brilliant in meeting our every need, as were the walk leaders. I will just comment about the house : my room was a single storey room but part of the main house and my neighbours room was the same, and we both commented to each other that the room gets cold when the radiators are turned off during the night; therefore, extra blankets in the wardrobe for use as required would have been helpful. As it was, a member of staff provided a thicker duvet, but I think I would still have appreciated the option of blankets as well, just for general use in the room. I think I was still fighting off a bit of a fluey chest, and the coldness of the room did not help. On one morning I was unable to get hot water from the bath tap to have a bath/ shower, and had to wait awhile; I have to say it was only on this one occasion and usually the water was steaming hot, as it was on subsequent mornings; I also learned that others had electric showers in their room. The house layout I thought was a bit rambling, and was also lacking in big comfy chairs for those who perhaps did not want to go out walking for the day, or just for general comfort; I appreciate the event is really an active holiday, but I think some cosey sofas would not go amiss, though not sure where you would put them? But overall a good experience, and the food and table service was brilliant.

Product review:

The overall experience of the holiday was brilliant, the leaders were encouraging, available and helpful, and the staff at Nythfa House were brilliant in catering for our everyday needs. The camaraderie amongst us and with the staff and leaders was really good. It was a good atmosphere, good walks (albeit I only did one due to the weather, it was the medium walk to Pen Y French which I really enjoyed), and good introduction to HF Holidays. It was also a wake up call for myself, as I realised just how much out of condition I am as a walker, and also how much my gear is really for fair weather walking, but that's a plus as the others gave a brilliant example of how to be equipped ! The Caelidh on News Years Eve was well good, and I enjoyed my trip to Hay on Wye whilst the others were scaling the heights and tackling the mud !

8 Jan 2015, 2:04 p.m.

Service rating:

+

Product rating:

+

Service review:

Each holiday very much depends on (i) the manager and therefore the quality and service of the holiday house; and (ii) the ability etc. of the leaders. So, no excellent, until HF can get both up to the quality required, on every house, which is quite a challenge!

Product review:

The house and service at Brecon was excellent.

8 Jan 2015, 9:35 a.m.

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++

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No review provided

Product review:

The leaders were excellent both out on the hills and in the (optional) evenings.

8 Jan 2015, 9:20 a.m.

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+

Product rating:

-

Service review:

Generally good, but seems increasingly to be trying to be all things to all people, and therefore doesn't work for me much now.

Product review:

Average. I would actually grade i between 'good' and 'poor', but there is no such option to tick. Going on a 7-day break provides no coherence, because all the walk leaders and the vast majority of guests change halfway through.

Thank you for your feedback which is always appreciated.

I was disappointed to hear that you found the holiday was not exactly as you had hoped. We try our best to make these as enjoyable as possible whilst keeping the ethos of HF but also understand that people do not always want 7 days breaks and we do have to accommodate these guests as well.

I do hope we will be able to welcome you on another HF holiday in the future and , once again, thank you for your comments.

Kind regardsToni

Toni McNultyCustomer Relations Manager

4 Jan 2015, 4:43 p.m.

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+

Service review:

As always, service from your staff at HQ was excellent

Product review:

We only had 3 nights and 2 full days, but got what it said in the brochures.Pleasant holiday atmosphere and excellent food.